1 Earliest Rome

11.13 Constantine and the Church
2. Phaena Is near Damascus, Proconessus an island in the Sea ofMarmara. Cf, 11.2b n, 1
for the dual penalty system.
11.13 Constantine and the Church
The conversion of Constantine to Christianity in A.D. 312 is endlessly
debated: how far was he 'really' a Christian, and from what date? But it is nevertheless
clear that he began acting in favour of the Christian church from
almost the beginning of his reign.
See further: Vol. 1, 365-9; Gaudemet (1947); Baynes (1972)*.
11.13a Letter of Constantine and Licinius on restoration of the church (A.D. 313)
After Constantine's victory in A.D. 312, he immediately ended the persecution
of the Christians and began to order the restoration of church property in
regions of the West he controlled. At a meeting in Milan in February 313 he
and his fellow emperor Licinius agreed on a general policy towards the church
(though it is uncertain whether this was publicly proclaimed). When Licinius
returned to the East and quelled a revolt, in June 313 he issued a letter to each
provincial governor in the East on the basis of the policy agreed with
Constantine (often erroneously called The Edict of Milan). This letter
(quoted in Lactantius), which presupposes the rights of both Christians and
non-Christians, orders the restoration of church property.
See further: Baynes (1972) 10-11, 69-74*; Millar (1977) 582-3.
Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors 48.,2--12
When 1, Constantine Augustus, and I, Licinius Augustus happily met at Milan and had
under consideration everything which related to public convenience and security, we
thought that, among other matters which would benefit most people, arrangements
particularly needed to be made to ensure respect for the divinity, so that we should grant
both to Christians and to all people freedom to follow whatever religio each one wished,
whereby whatever divinity exists in the celestial abode can be placated and propitious to
us and all who are placed under our power. Accordingly, we thought that on sensible and
most proper grounds this plan should be adopted, that we should not deny this right to
anyone, whether he has devoted himself to the Christians' observance or to any religio
which he considers most suitable for himself, so that the supreme divinity, whose religio
we obey with free minds, can provide for us in every matter his accustomed favour and
benevolence. Therefore it is proper that your Devotedness should know that we have
decided that since absolutely all conditions which [were contained] in documents
previously sent to your office about the Christian name have been rescinded, [those
things which] seemed [to be entirely inauspicious and alien to our clemency should be
repealed, and] that now each individual who shows the said purpose of worshipping the
283